Withholding access to research data - Authors' reply

ByElizabeth Pisani, James Whitworth, Basia Zaba, Carla AbouZahr

ARTICLE ABSTRACT

Devon Brewer and colleagues are correct in pointing out that researchers fear that data they have generated might be manipulated by secondary analysts in ways that contradict their own conclusions. This is precisely why the draft code of conduct to which we refer commits secondary analysts to publish their own detailed methods, and any code used to transform, manipulate, analyse, or interpret datasets. We agree that this sort of transparency in science will increase public trust and reduce the deliberate manipulation of data to score political, financial, or ideological points.